Saturday, August 23, 2014

A post full of sighs

This has been one of the sweetest summers I can remember here in northeast Ohio, with mild temperatures, breezy blue skies and the occasional dramatic storm to give it all scale.

Hamburger over Akron

I've walked miles and miles and miles during these fair days, many of them with the Goat along the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail--such a gentle gift. I wish every one of you could come here and let me be your guide. We'd meander by bits of history such as the Mustill Store, through Akron's quirky downtown district, and take in my favorite stuff--walking through our infrastructure past and present. The trail goes underneath interstates, beneath towering bridges and past industrial relics. It's all next to that old canal, which was dug with shovels.

Akron underground

How I love this place.

The only thing missing from my August has been Ohio sweetcorn,
eliminated as part of my new low-carb eating efforts. And as much as I love
sweetcorn, the 20 pounds I've dropped is even sweeter.

At Gay Games DanceSport

The Gay Games were spectacular. You should have seen the ballroom dancing. The dancers radiated pure joy. Lil' OB and I were positively hypnotized by it, so much so that we both misted up. It was that emotional.

You don't see true kernels of freedom too often. But the gay rodeo participants? The athletes from Russia walking into Progressive Field without fear? Two people dancing with beautiful abandon and no judgement?

That's freedom.

Pretty girls on horses at the Gay Rodeo

Well my friends, that's all I know. The Goat's time off is coming to an end and Lil' OB is off to
school next week (that kid's a senior!). I'm back at the desk
working on yet another large business project.

So while I can't package up the summer's good karma and send it to quell the unrest in Ferguson or melt the guns in the Middle East, I can send some floating your way.

Enjoy a guided tour of the northern section of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath while riding in a comfortable 7-passenger golf cart. Discover how business and industry in the Cuyahoga Valley helped to make Cleveland one of the largest cities in America while enjoying the lovely scenery throughout the park. Explore the cultural and natural history of Cleveland Metroparks Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation and learn about the history of the canal and Cuyahoga River along the way.

Participants will meet at the Cleveland Metroparks CanalWay Center. Please dress for the weather. The carts are covered and can protect from the sun and light rain. We will use a tour guide system and each participant will receive an earphone. Seating is limited. Refreshments will be served inside CanalWay Center after the tour.